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TWITTER UPDATE

February 2011

February 25, 2011

WV Congressman Dave McKinley joined me to talk about the big budget cuts ok'd by the GOP House. He says it wasn't easy to cut some good programs but the cuts needed to be made. McKinley also says he still thinks a government shutdown can be avoided with what he calls "Plan B".

February 22, 2011

Listen to the media coverage of the Wisconsin battle between the Govenor and public employees, and you will believe it's all about a well-intentioned attempt to deal with out of control government spending. But in fact it is all about political power.

Wisconsin is NOT in a major financial crisis---at least not any more so than many states. In fact the state's own non-partisan agency that rides herd over financial numbers had predicted a $120-million-plus surplus this year.

That was before GOP governor Walker rammed through a package of tax cuts/credits to benefit the wealthiest in Wisconsin. (In other words the crisis he now insists be solved on the back of the state employees was caused BY THE GOVERNOR in pandering to his business base).

The unions have agreed to work on a package of cuts/cost-sharing to solve the actual budget hole

While Governor Walker insists the state must eliminate collective bargaining to solve his self-created crisis, he EXEMPTS the unions that supported him. There can be little debate it's a purely political move.

The struggle in Wisconsin, combined with anti-union efforts of "Johnny The K" (Governor John Kasich) in Ohio, and the "So be it" attitude of Big Johnny Boehner are continuing proof that the GOP is hell-bent on ending the power of the only remaining large institution that reflects the working middle class in America--organized unions. When that influence is stripped away, the Koch Brothers, US Chamber, American Solutions, and other conservative money machines will dominate the political landscape.

February 17, 2011

Many Ohio Valley property owners have signed gas leases. Others are debating whether they should. In Charleston, discussion is underway that might lead to people being FORCED into being part of a gas "unit" whether they sign a lease or not. Tim Greene from Land and Mineral Management of Appalachia was with me today on The Morning Show to discuss that issue and other aspects of the gas industry.

After his State of the City speech in Wheeling this week, Mayor Andy McKenzie dropped by The Morning Show to flesh out details on some of the projects he announced. What will happen after the 1100 block is torn down? Will the Market Plaza be a park--or a parking lot? And what about the plans for an East Wheeling sports complex?

February 11, 2011

Wheeling businessman and freshman GOP congressman Dave McKinley on the show today. He says he will support raising the debt ceiling IF budget cuts are part of the deal....but when talking about budget cuts, McKinley admits it's not easy picking the items to trim. In fact, he says one of his big efforts has been to make sure there are NO CUTS in funding for clean coal technology.